My name is Alistair Park and I'm a professional carver who is based in Bristol, England. I've been carving for over twenty-two years and I also enjoy teaching my skills to people of all ages.
You'll find posts here about all kinds of things to do with carving; the work that I do, the people that I meet and the things that I see which inspire me.
Please feel free to comment on anything of interest, it'd be great to hear from you!

As well as this blog, I also have a website with lots more images of my work as well as a few more stories.

If you like woodcarvings, you'll want to have a look.

Monday, 22 July 2013

'Inspired' at Ashton Court, Bristol 28th July to 4th August 2013. Also showing; John Makepeace and Margaret Lovell, amongst many others

Yesterday the finishing touches were applied to my sculpture "Metainsectivore', which I'll be showing at the 'Inspired' exhibition at Ashton Court in Bristol.

It's an exciting opportunity to exhibit work with some of the biggest names in British furniture making. In fact, I've taken two days off in about 6 weeks to try and make something good enough!

Here's a bit of the finished 'Metainsectivore' piece. Not all of it - it seems a shame to give the game away too much before it is put on display! It is carved entirely from found and recycled wood (including the eyes), using a variety of techniques both old and modern.

Speaking of traditional carving techniques, I will be carving a wooden model ('maquette') for the new Matthew figurehead onsite during the course of the exhibition, using a piece of Lawson Cypress that was felled during recent landscaping work at the Ashton Court mansion. Come and say hello if you are in Bristol!

As for the other work on show, there are thirty-eight exhibitors exhibiting everything from glass work to fine furniture. If you are interested in crafts, applied arts, design or even just beautifully made things, it has to be on the to-do list.

The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm every day, from the 28th July to the 4th August. Entry is free.